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Leopold Stokowski sound recordings

Ms. Coll. 1169

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held
at the University of Pennsylvania. Unless
otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our
reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Leopold Anthony Stokowski was born April 18, 1882 in London and become one of the best-known conductors of the 20th century.
Stokowski conducted symphony orchestras across the world from 1909 until his death in 1977. This collection consists of original
sound recordings on sound reels, audio cassettes, cds, and long playing records. It is believed that the majority document
Stokowski's conducting career from 1917 to 1977 and that very few were professional recordings. Original sound recordings
are restricted from use and researchers wishing to obtain a copy of the original will be financially responsible for the reformatting
costs.

Biography/History

Leopold Anthony Stokowski was born April 18, 1882 in London and become one of the best-known conductors of the 20th century.
Stokowski conducted symphony orchestras across the world from 1909 until his death in 1977. A full biographical sketch can
be found in the
finding aid for the Leopold Stokowski papers.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of sound recordings on sound reels, audio cassettes, cds, and long playing records. It is believed
that the majority document Stokowski's conducting career from 1917 to 1977 and that very few were professional recordings.
There are some recordings that specifically list another conductor; in particular, Fritz Reiner conducting the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra and Ernst Marzendorfer conducting the Vienna Chamber Orchestra. All description is based upon existing labels and
slips of papers which were found with the recordings, the contents of which are not always clear. It is important for researchers
to understand that sound recordings were not listened to prior to arrangement and description.

The collection is arranged in five series: I. Reel to reel sound recordings, II. Cassettes, III. CDs, IV. Records, and V.
Index cards to tape collection. The first four series are all arranged alphabetically by orchestra, and then chronologically
within each orchestra. Researchers are advised to perform keyword searches for composers, musical works, and artists, particularly
since many original sound recordings did not list the orchestra or musical group and are therefore listed as "Unknown." Many
of the original recordings had a numbering scheme, the key to which is undefined. The numbers were preserved and are listed
as "Stokowski Numbers" after the description.

The final series consists of index cards to the collection. The numbering scheme on the cards do not always appear to match
the numbering scheme on the original recordings. In some cases, the numbering schemes do match and the cards may be of some
use to researchers, although, the information contained on the card is also included in finding aid.

Administrative Information

Publication Information

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, 2016 April 26

Finding Aid Author

Finding aid prepared by Holly Mengel

Access Restrictions

Access to original audio/visual materials and computer files is restricted. The Kislak Center will provide access to the information
on these materials from duplicate master files. If the original does not already have a copy, it will be sent to an outside
vendor for copying. Patrons are financially responsible for the cost. The turnaround time from request to delivery of digital
items is about two weeks for up to five items and three to seven weeks for more than five items. Please contact Reprographic
Services (reprogr@upenn.edu) for cost estimates and ordering. Once digital items are received, researchers will have access
to the files on a dedicated computer in the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center. Researchers should be aware of specifics of
copyright law and act accordingly.

Use Restrictions

Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright.
It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the
Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Form/Genre(s)

Subject(s)

Collection Inventory

Series I. Reel to reel sound recordings.

A. 10.5 inch reels.

Box

Item

Early Hi-Fi, Wide range and stereo recordings made by Bell Telephone Laboratories in the 1930s, Leopold Stokowski conducting
the Philadelphia Orchestra, 1931-1932, Presented to the Curtis Institute of Music by the Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania
(2 reels and 1 gold record in presentation box), circa 1930s.